Raw Earth Ink
spit, mixed with dirt – muddy words flow
One Last Howl
within winter’s sigh
a murmur rises on the wind
sparkles glint off the edges
of a million snowflakes,
compressed and wind blown
against the base of birch or
within a field’s hollow
the murmur becomes a hum
and a snowshoe hare lifts up,
whiskers twitching
ears on high alert
the hum, in turn, sheds stealth
and becomes a howl
winter joins in and the howl,
now a gale, rages
against the impending loss of its icy grip
days lengthen bit by bit,
the hare shivers beside her den’s entrance
where lie hidden four tiny kits
in a nest of white fur and dried leaves
riding on winter’s final breath
swirl delicate snowflakes
each more beautiful than the last
the howl becomes a hum
then a murmur and then a whisper
while a tiny field of purple crocuses
open yet another morning
tara caribou | ©️2023
25 Comments on “One Last Howl”
Leave a Reply
Raw Earth Ink 
A beautiful evocation of winter’s parting blast.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you 😌
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re Welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on cabbagesandkings524 and commented:
Tara Caribou – Winter exits howling
LikeLiked by 1 person
simply exquisite – change is so confronting and often compelling and impossible to resist – the change of seasons is an interesting way to look at other changes thrust upon us that we have little or no control over, not always bad, not always good, sometimes what we need and don’t know it, and sometimes just a ride we didn’t expect. my mind wandered all over while still following the literal sense of what you wrote.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Interestingly, it wasn’t the change of seasons which prompted the poem, though that’s what it became. Like you, I am thinking about changes, not good or bad, just… changes. You always get me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful capture, Tara.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Ray! 😌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tara, for the beautiful Ode To The Oncoming Spring.
Joanna
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Joanna ❄️
LikeLike
You are welcome.
Joanna
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful descriptions of Winter’s fierceness melting into Spring – loved that uplifting ending of the budding blooms! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Right on! ❄️ Thanks, Tom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful poem, Tara!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Nadine! ❄️
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is very beautiful and evocative verse Tara!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Brad. I appreciate that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful. I now have a picture in my head of those four tiny kits all snuggled up and that will keep me calm for the day
LikeLiked by 1 person
Baby rabbits are adorable. I think about them way too much 💕😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’d described the scene so very, vividly, it’s as if, I hear the wind too, reading this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Personally, I listen for that howl, to remember the beauty of winter when the hot summer sun is roasting me. ❄️😌
LikeLike
so so lovely, truly…♡
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you V! 💕❄️
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you for bringing me right THERE. well done, Tara! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome and thank YOU, Joe 😌❄️
LikeLike